Bathroom Fans

Bathroom Extractor Fans Buyer's Guide

It is essential to install an extractor fan in the bathroom. Preventing condensation build up, damp, mould and odour, a simple 4 inch bathroom extractor fan will help to keep your bathroom beautiful! We keep over 40 different bathroom extractor fans in stock from Vent Axia, Manrose, Airflow and GET, including extractor fans with timers, fans with PIRs, humidistat extractor fans, SELV bathroom extractor fans, slimline fans, and inline fans. This wide choice of bathroom extractor fan can be bewildering, so we've compiled a buyer's guide to help you choose the right bathroom fan.

1. Wiring regulations and Bathroom Zones
2. Extractor Type
3. Size
4. Air Extraction Rate
5. Operation
6. Noise
7. Gil-lec recommends

1. Wiring regulations, bathroom zones and bathroom extractor fans
Since electric and water can make for a fatal combination, strict regulations were introduced dividing the bathroom into 4 zones: 0, 1, 2, 3. Zone 0 is in the bath. Zone 1 extends vertically 2.25m above the bath. Zone 2 extends in all directions for 0.6m from zone1 and zone 3 extends laterally for 2.4m from zone 2.

It is essential that you install the correct bathroom extractor fan in the correct zone. Bathroom extractor fans come in two voltages; Mains voltage (240v) and SELV or Safety Extra Low Voltage (12v) .  Mains voltage bathroom extractor fans may only be used in Zone 1 of the bathroom if they are rated to IPX4 and 1) all circuits in the bathroom are 30mA RCD protected, 2) disconnection times are met and 3) provided they have sufficient means of isolation. An example of this type of fan is the Airflow QuietAir: A mains voltage bathroom extractor fan that has been specifically designed with an IP45 rating to be used in all 3 zones.

More commonly in Zones 1 and 2, SELV bathroom fans (12 volt) are usually used, with the transformer being housed in Zone 3. 

Inline fans are another special type of 240v bathroom extractor fan which are housed in the loft space above the bathroom in the middle of two lengths of ducting. Since the motor, impellars and all electrical parts are out of the zonal area, with only the duct and grille in the bathroom ceiling, they too are suitable for use in zone 1 or 2 above the bath or shower.

2. Types of bathroom extractor
There are two main types of bathroom extractor fan: Axial and Centrifugal. Axial extractor fans are the ones that you are used to seeing on walls and ceilings and tend to have air extraction rates of between 85m3/hr and 95m3/hr on the 4 inch models. These are suitable for standard installations where the bathroom extractor fan is intended to be ducted through the wall. Centrifugal fans tend to be (but not always) inline duct fans. (see previous section). Centrifugal fans are usually much more powerful than axial fans with air extraction rates of bewteen 110m3/hr and 220m3/hr on the 4 inch models. Centrifugal bathroom extractor fans are particularly well suited to installations where long duct lengths are required. The Vent Axia Solo Plus bathroom extractor fan, for example, can be used in duct runs up to 50m!

3. Sizes of bathroom extractor fans
Domestic bathroom extractor fans come in two sizes: 4 inch /100mm and 6 inch / 150mm. In almost every case a 4 inch bathroom extractor fan will suffice.

4. Air Extraction Rate
Measured in 'Litres per Second' (L/s) or 'Metres Cubed per Hour' (m3/hr), the air extraction rate of a bathroom extractor fna is one of the most important considerations. The Building Regulations stipulate that a bathroom extractor fan must extract at least 15L/s in a standard domestic bathroom. Most 4 inch bathroom extractor fans far exceed this minimum requirement. (indeed all the bathroom extractor fans stocked by Gil-lec do!). Any bathroom extractor fan with an extraction rate of 85m3/hr or above is powerful.

5. Operation
Bathroom extractor fans have a range of operational features to suit different applications. The most simple is on/off via the bathroom light switch or integral pullcord. Landlords may prefer bathroom extractor fans with humidity sensors, which switch on automatically when the relative humidity reaches a set level. This means that tenants are not relied upon to manually operate the bathroom fan. Bathroom fans with integral timers are great in bathrooms where large build ups of steam cause condensation problems. Parents may prefer a bathroom fan with a PIR sensor which will operate the extractor fan automatically when anybody enters the bathroom.

6. Noise
Typical dB measurements for axial bathroom fans range between 35dB(A) and 45dB(A) with the more powerful centrifugal bathroom fans between 40dB(A) and 55dB(A). Whilst centrifugal extractor fans are louder, it should be remembered that they are housed in the loft space and so are insulated and further away, lessesning the volume somewhat. If noise levels are a prticular consideration then we recommend the Airflow Quietair, which on full power operates at only 25dB(A)

7. Gil-lec Recommends
1. All round best bathroom extractor fan: Airflow QuietAir. Because: It is powerful, very quiet, low energy and IP45 rated is suitable for all bathroom zones.
2. Best Looking bathroom extractor fan: Airflow Icon with the 'opening eye louvres', Vent Axia Silhouette - super slim, Manrose Deco, Airflow QuietAir
3. Most Powerful bathroom extractor fan: Axial 4 inch: GET GFAN4T 93m3/hr. Centrifugal 4 inch : Vent Axia ACM100T 220m3/hr
4. Best Value for Money: GET GFAN4T: 93m3/hr - £14.79 inc vat!